THE CABLE TELEVISION NETWORKS (REGULATION) ACT, 1995 
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
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CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1.  Short title, extent and commencement. 
2.  Definitions. 

CHAPTER II 

REGULATION OF CABLE TELEVISION NETWORK 
3.  Cable television network not to be operated except after registration. 
4.  Registration as cable operator. 
4A. Transmission of programmes through digital addressable systems, etc. 
4B. Right of way for cable operators and permission by public authority. 
5.  Programme code. 
6.  Advertisement code. 
7.  Maintenance of register. 
8.  Compulsory transmission of certain channels. 
9.  Use of standard equipment in cable television network. 
10.  Cable television network not to interfere with any telecommunication system. 
10A. Inspection of cable network and services. 

CHAPTER III 

SEIZURE AND CONFISCATION OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT 

11.  Power to seize equipment used for operating cable television network. 
12.  Confiscation. 
13.  Seizure or confiscation of equipment not to interfere with other punishment. 
14.  Giving of opportunity to the cable operator of seized equipment. 
15.  Appeal. 

CHAPTER IV 

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 

16.  Punishment for contravention of provisions of this Act. 
17.  Offences by companies. 
18.  Cognizance of offences. 

CHAPTER V 

MISCELLANEOUS 

19.  Power to prohibit transmission of certain programmes in public interest. 
20.  Power to prohibit operation of cable television network in public interest. 
21.  Application of other laws not barred. 
22.  Power to make rules. 
23.  Repeal and savings. 

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THE CABLE TELEVISION NETWORKS (REGULATION) ACT, 1995 

ACT NO. 7 OF 1995 

An  Act  to  regulate  the  operation  of  cable  television  networks  in  the  country  and  for  matters 

connected therewith or incidental thereto. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Forty-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

[25th March, 1995.]  

CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

1.  Short  title,  extent  and  commencement.—(1)  This  Act  may  be  called  the  Cable  Television 

Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. 

(2) It extends to the whole of India. 

(3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 29th day of September, 1994. 

2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

1[(a) “authorised officer” means, within his local limits of jurisdiction,— 

(i) a District Magistrate, or 

(ii) a Sub-divisional Magistrate, or  

(iii) a Commissioner of Police,  

and includes any other officer notified in the Official Gazette, by the Central Government or the State 
Government, to be an authorised officer for such local limits of jurisdiction as may be determined by 
that Government;] 

2[(ai)  “Authority”  means  the  Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India  established  under 

sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 (24 of 1997); 

(aii) “Broadcaster” means a person or a group of persons, or body corporate, or any organisation 

or body providing programming services and includes his or its authorised distribution agencies; 

(aiii)  “cable operator”  means  any  person  who  provides  cable  service  through  a cable television 
network  or  otherwise  controls  or  is  responsible  for  the  management  and  operation  of  a  cable 
television network and fulfils the prescribed eligibility criteria and conditions;] 

(b) “cable service” means the transmission by cables of programmes including re-transmission by 

cables of any broadcast television signals; 

(c) “cable television network” means any system consisting of a set of closed transmission paths 
and  associated  signal  generation,  control  and  distribution  equipment,  designed  to  provide  cable 
service for reception by multiple subscribers; 

(d)  “company”  means  a  company  as  defined  in  section  3  of  the  Companies  Act,  1956 

(1 of 1956); 

(e) “person” means— 

(i) an individual who is a citizen of India; 

(ii) an association of individuals or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not,  whose 

members are citizens of India; 

1. Ins. by Act 36 of 2000, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-9-2000). 
2. Subs. by Act 21 of 2011, s. 2, for clause (aa) (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 

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1[(iii) a company as defined in section 3 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956);] 

2[(ei) “post” means a post and includes a pole, tower, standard, stay, strut, cabinet, pillar or any 
above ground contrivance for carrying, suspending or supporting any network infrastructure facility;] 

(f) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 

(g) “programme” means any television broadcast and includes— 

(i) exhibition of films, features, dramas, advertisements and serials 3***; 

(ii) any audio or visual or audio-visual live performance or presentation, 

and the expression “programming service” shall be construed accordingly; 

2[(gi) "public authority" means any authority, body or institution of local self-government 

constituted or established by or under— 

(i) the Constitution of India; 

(ii) any law made by Parliament; 

(iii) any law made by a State Legislature; 

(iv) any notification issued or order made by the appropriate Government, 

and includes any— 

(v) body owned, controlled or substantially financed; or 

(vi) non-governmental organisation substantially financed, 

directly or indirectly by funds provided by the appropriate Government;] 

(h) “registering authority” means such authority as the Central Government may, by notification 
in  the  Official  Gazette,  specify  to  perform  the  functions  of  the  registering  authority  under  this 
Act2[within such local limits of jurisdiction as may be determined by that Government]; 

(i) “subscriber” means 4[any individual, or association of individuals, or a company, or any other 
organisation  or  body]who  receives  the  signals  of  cable  television  network  at  a  place  5[indicated  by 
him or it] to the cable operator, without further transmitting it to any other person. 

CHAPTER II 

REGULATION OF CABLE TELEVISION NETWORK 

3. Cable television network not to be operated except after registration.—No person shall operate 

a cable television network unless he is registered as a cable operator under this Act. 

* 

6* 
7[4. Registration as cable operator.—(1) Any person who is desirous of operating or is operating a 
cable television network may apply for registration or renewal of registration, as a cable operator to the 
registering authority. 

* 

* 

* 

(2)  The  cable  operator  shall  fulfil  such  eligibility  criteria  and  conditions  as  may  be  prescribed  and 

different eligibility criteria may be prescribed for different categories of cable operators. 

1. Subs. by Act 21 of 2011, s. 2, for sub-clause (iii) (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
2. Ins. by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
3. The words “through video cassette recorders or video cassette players” omitted by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
4. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “a person” (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
5. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “indicated by him” (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
6. The proviso omitted by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
7. Subs. by s. 4, ibid.,for section 4 (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 

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(3) On and from the date of issue of notification under section 4A, no new registration in a State, city, 
town or area notified under that section shall be granted to any cable operator who does not undertake to 
transmit or re-transmit channels in an encrypted form through a digital addressable system. 

(4)  An  application  under  sub-section  (1)  shall  be  made  in  such  form  and  be  accompanied  by  such 

documents and fees as may be prescribed. 

(5)  On  receipt  of  the  application,  the  registering  authority  shall  satisfy  itself  that  the  applicant  has 
furnished all the required information prescribed under sub-section (4) and on being so satisfied, register 
the applicant as a cable operator and grant him a certificate of registration or renew its registration, as the 
case may be, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed under sub-section (6): 

Provided  that  the  registering  authority  may,  if  it  is  satisfied  that  the  applicant  does  not  fulfil  the 
eligibility criteria and conditions prescribed under sub-section (2) or the application is not accompanied 
by  necessary  documents  or  fees  as  prescribed  under  sub-section  (4),  and  for  reasons  to  be  recorded  in 
writing,  by  order,  refuse  to  grant  its  registration  or  renewal,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  communicate  the 
same to the applicant: 

Provided further that the applicant may prefer an appeal against the order of the registering authority 

refusing grant or renewal of registration to the Central Government. 

(6) Without prejudice to the compliance of eligibility criteria for registration of cable operators, the 
Central  Government  may  prescribe,  having  regard  to  the  interests  of  the  sovereignty  and  integrity  of 
India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, 
foreign relation or contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence, such terms and conditions 
of registration including additional criteria or conditions to be fulfilled by the cable operator. 

(7) The Central Government may suspend or revoke the registration granted under sub-section (5) if 

the cable operator violates one or more of the terms and conditions of such registration: 

Provided  that  no  such  order  of  suspension  or  revocation  shall  be  made  without  giving  reasonable 

opportunity of being heard to the cable operator.] 

1[4A.  Transmission  of  programmes  through  digital  addressable  systems,  etc.—(1)  Where  the 
Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, it may, by notification 
in the Official Gazette, make it obligatory for every cable operator to transmit or re-transmit programmes 
of any channel in an encrypted form through a digital addressable system with effect from such date as 
may be specified in the notification and different dates may be specified for different States, cities, towns 
or areas, as the case may be: 

Provided that the date specified in the notification shall not be earlier than six months from the date of 
issue of such notification to enable the cable operators in different States, cities, towns or areas to install 
the equipment required for the purposes of this sub-section. 

(2)  The  Central  Government  may  prescribe  appropriate  measures  and  take  such  steps  as  it  may 

consider necessary for implementation of the notification issued under sub-section(1). 

(3) If the Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, and if not 
otherwise specified by the Authority, it may direct the Authority to specify, by notification in the Official 
Gazette, one or more free-to-air channels to be included in the package of channels forming basic service 
tier and any one or more such channels may be specified, in the notification, genre-wise for providing a 
programme mix of entertainment, information, education and such other programmes and fix the tariff for 
basic service tier which shall be offered by the cable operators to the consumers and the consumer shall 
have the option to subscribe to any such tier: 

Provided that  the  cable  operator shall  also offer the channels in the  basic  service  tier on  a  la  carte 

basis to the subscriber at a tariff specified under this sub-section. 

(4)  The  Central  Government  or  the  Authority  may  specify  in  the  notification  referred  to  in  
sub-section  (3),  the  number  of  free-to-air  channels  to  be  included  in  the  package  of  channels  forming 

1. Subs. by Act 21 of 2011, s. 5, for section 4A (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 

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basic service tier for the purposes of that sub-section and different numbers may be specified for different 
States, cities, towns or areas, as the case may be. 

(5) It shall be obligatory for every cable operator to publicise the prescribed information including but 
not  limited  to  subscription  rates,  standards  of  quality  of  service  and  mechanism  for  redressal  of 
subscribers’ grievances in such manner and at such periodic intervals as may be specified by the Central 
Government or the Authority for the benefit of the subscriber. 

(6) The cable operator shall not require any subscriber to have a receiver set of a particular type to 

receive signals of cable television network: 

Provided that the subscriber shall use a digital addressable system to be attached to his receiver set for 

receiving programmes transmitted on any channel. 

(7) Every cable operator shall provide such information relating to its cable services and networks in 
such  format  and  at  such  periodic  intervals  to  the  Central  Government  or  the  State  Governments  or  the 
Authority or their authorised representatives, as may be specified by them from time to time. 

(8) All actions taken by the Central Government or the Authority in pursuance of the provisions of 
this section as they  stood immediately before the 25th day of October, 2011shall continue to remain in 
force till such actions are modified as per the provisions of this Act. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,— 

(a) “addressable system” means an electronic device (which includes hardware and its associated 
software)  or  more  than  one  electronic  device  put  in  an  integrated  system  through  which  signals  of 
cable  television  network  can  be  sent  in  encrypted  form,  which  can  be  decoded  by  the  device  or 
devices, having an activated Conditional Access System at the premises of the subscriber within the 
limits of authorisation made, through the Conditional Access System and the subscriber management 
system, on the explicit choice and request of such subscriber, by the cable operator to the subscriber; 

(b) “basic service tier” means a package of free-to-air channels to be offered by a cable operator 
to a subscriber with an option to subscribe, for a single price to subscribers of the area in which his 
cable television network is providing service; 

(c)  “encrypted”, in respect  of a  signal of cable television  network,  means  the  changing  of  such 
signal  in  a systematic  way  so  that the  signal  would  be  unintelligible  without  use  of  an  addressable 
system and the expression "unencrypted" shall be construed accordingly; 

(d) “free-to-air channel”, in respect of a cable television network, means a channel for which no 
subscription fee is to be paid by the cable operator to the broadcaster for its re-transmission on cable; 

(e)  “pay  channel”,  in  respect  of  a  cable  television  network,  means  a  channel  for  which 
subscription fees is to be paid to the broadcaster by the cable operator and due authorisation needs to 
be taken from the broadcaster for its re-transmission on cable; 

(f)  “subscriber  management  system”  means  a  system  or  device  which  stores  the  subscriber 
records and details with respect to name, address and other information regarding the hardware being 
utilised by the subscriber, channels or bouquets of channels subscribed to by the subscriber, price of 
such channels or bouquets of channels as defined in the system, the activation or deactivation dates 
and  time  for  any  channel or  bouquets  of channels,  a  log  of  all  actions  performed  on  a  subscriber’s 
record, invoices raised on each subscriber and the amounts paid or discount allowed to the subscriber 
for each billing period. 

4B.  Right  of  way  for  cable  operators  and  permission  by  public  authority.—(1)  Subject  to  the 
provisions of this Act, any cable operator entitled for providing cable services may, from time to time, lay 
and establish cables and erect posts under, over, along, across, in or upon any immovable property vested 
in or under the control or management of a public authority. 

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(2) Any public authority under whose control or management any immovable property is vested may, 
on receipt of a request from a cable operator permit the cable operator to do all  or any of the following 
acts, namely:— 

(a) to place and maintain underground cables or posts; and 

(b) to enter on the property, from time to time, in order to place, examine, repair, alter or remove 

such cables or posts. 

(3) The facility of right of way under this section for laying underground cables,  and erecting posts, 
shall  be  available  to  all  cable  operators  subject  to  the  obligation  of  reinstatement  or  restoration  of  the 
property or payment of reinstatement or restoration charges in respect thereof at the option of the public 
authority. 

(4)  When  a  public  authority  in  public  interest  considers  it  necessary  and  expedient  that  the 
underground  cable  or  post  placed  by  any  cable  operator  under  the  provisions  of  this  section  should  be 
removed or shifted or its position altered, it may require the cable operator to remove it or shift it or alter 
its position, as the case may be, at its own cost in the timeframe indicated by the public authority. 

(5) The Central Government may lay down appropriate guidelines to enable the State Governments to 
put in place an appropriate mechanism for speedy clearance of requests from cable operators for laying 
cables  or  erecting  posts  on  any  property  vested  in,  or  under  the  control  or  management  of,  any  public 
authority and for settlement of disputes, including refusal of permission by the public authority. 

(6)  Any  permission  granted  by  a  public  authority  under  this  section  may  be  given  subject  to  such 
reasonable conditions as that public authority thinks fit to impose as to the payment of any expenses, or 
time or mode of execution of any work, or as to any other matter connected with or related to any work 
undertaken by the cable operator in exercise of those rights. 

(7) Nothing in this section shall confer any right upon any cable operator other than that of user for 

the purpose only of laying underground cable or erecting posts or maintaining them.] 

5.  Programme  code.—No  person  shall  transmit  or  re-transmit  through  a  cable  service  any 

programme unless such programme is in conformity with the prescribed programme code. 

1* 

 *  

* 

 * 

* 

6.  Advertisement  code.—No  person  shall  transmit  or  re-transmit  through  a  cable  service  any 

advertisement unless such advertisement is in conformity with the prescribed advertisement code. 

2* 

 * 

 * 

 * 

* 

7. Maintenance of register.—Every cable operator shall maintain a register in the prescribed form 
indicating therein in brief the programmes transmitted or re-transmitted through the cable service during a 
month and such register shall be maintained by the cable operator for a period of one year after the actual 
transmission or re-transmission of the said programmes. 

3[8.  Compulsory  transmission  of  certain  channels.—(1)  The  Central  Government  may,  by 
notification in the Official Gazette, specify the names of Doordarshan channels or the channels operated 
by or on behalf of Parliament, to be mandatorily carried by the cable operators in their cable service and 
the manner of reception and re-transmission of such channels: 

Provided that in areas where digital addressable system has not been introduced in accordance with 
the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 4A, the notification as regards the prime band is concerned 
shall be limited to the carriage of two Doordarshan terrestrial channels and one regional language channel 
of the State in which the network of the cable operator is located. 

(2)  The  channels  referred  to  in  sub-section  (1)  shall  be  re-transmitted  without  any  deletion  or 

alteration of any programme transmitted on such channels. 

1. The proviso omitted by Act 36 of 2000, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-9-2000). 
2. The proviso omitted by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2000). 
3. Subs. by Act 21 of 2011, s. 6, for section 8 (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
(3)  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  sub-section  (1),  any  notification  issued  by  the  Central 
Government or the Prasar Bharti (Broadcasting Corporation of India) in pursuance of the provisions of 
sub-section  (1),  prior  to  the  25th  day  of  October,  2011  shall  continue  to  remain  in  force  till  such 
notifications are rescinded or amended, as the case may be.] 

9. Use of standard equipment in cable television network.—No cable operator shall, on and from 
the date of the expiry of a period of three years from the date of the establishment and publication of the 
Indian  Standard  by  the  Bureau  of  Indian  Standards  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Bureau  of 
Indian Standards Act, 1986 (63 of 1986), use any 1[equipment or digital addressable system] in his cable 
television  network  unless  such  1[equipment  or  digital  addressable  system]  conforms  to  the  said  Indian 
Standard. 
2* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

10. Cable television network not to interfere with any telecommunication system.—Every cable 
operator shall ensure that the cable television network being  operated by him does not interfere, in any 
way, with the functioning of the authorised telecommunication systems3[and is in conformity with such 
standards relating to interference as may be prescribed by the Central Government]. 

4[10A.  Inspection  of  cable  network  and  services.—(1)  Without  prejudice  to  the  provisions 
contained in the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (13 of 1885) or any other law for the time being in force, the 
Central Government or its officers authorised by it or authorised agency shall have the right to inspect the 
cable network and services. 

(2)  No  prior  permission  or  intimation  shall  be  required  to  exercise  the  right  of  the  Central 

Government or its authorised representatives to carry out such inspection. 

(3)  The  inspection  shall  ordinarily  be  carried  out  after  giving  reasonable  notice  except  in 

circumstances where giving of such a notice shall defeat the purpose of the inspection. 

(4) On being so directed by the Central Government or its authorised officers oragency so authorised 
by it, the cable operator shall provide the necessary equipment, services and facilities at designated place 
or places for lawful interception or continuous monitoring of the cable service at its own cost by or under 
the supervision of the Central Government or its officers or agency so authorised by it]. 

CHAPTER III 

SEIZURE AND CONFISCATION OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT 

5[11. Power to seize  equipment  used for  operating cable  television  network.—If  any  authorised 
officer has reason to believe that the provisions of section 3,  section 4A, section 5,section 6, section 8, 
section  9  or  section  10  have  been  or  are  being  contravened  by  any  cable  operator,  he  may  seize  the 
equipment being used by such cable operator for operating the cable television network: 

Provided that the seizure of equipment in case of contravention of sections 5 and 6 shall be limited to 

the programming service provided on the channel generated at the level of the cable operator.] 

12.  Confiscation.—The  equipment  seized  under  sub-section  (1)  of  section  11  shall  be  liable  to 
confiscation unless the cable operator from whom the equipment has been seized registers himself as a 
cable  operator  under  section  4  within  a  period  of  thirty  days  from  the  date  of  seizure  of  the  said 
equipment. 

13. Seizure or confiscation of equipment not to interfere with other punishment.—No seizure or 
confiscation  of  equipment  referred  to  in  section  11  or  section  12  shall  prevent  the  infliction  of  any 
punishment to which the person affected thereby is liable under the provisions of this Act. 

1. Subs. by Act 21 of 2011 s. 7, for “equipment” (w.e.f.25-10-2011). 
2. The proviso omitted by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
3. Ins. by s. 8, ibid. (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
4. Ins. by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
5. Subs. by s. 10, ibid.,for section 11 (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 

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14. Giving of opportunity to the cable operator of seized equipment.—(1) No order adjudicating 
confiscation of the equipment referred to in section 12 shall be made unless the cable operator has been 
given  a  notice  in  writing  informing  him  of  the  grounds  on  which  it  is  proposed  to  confiscate  such 
equipment  and  giving  him  a  reasonable  opportunity  of  making  a  representation  in  writing,  within  such 
reasonable time as may be specified in the notice against the confiscation and if he so desires of being 
heard in the matter:  

Provided that where no such notice is given within a period of ten days from the date of the seizure of 
the equipment, such equipment shall be returned after the expiry of that period to the cable operator from 
whose possession it was seized. 

(2) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (1), the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 

(5 of 1908) shall, so far as may be, apply to every proceeding referred to in sub-section (1). 

15. Appeal.—(1) Any person aggrieved by any decision of the court adjudicating a confiscation of 

the equipment may prefer an appeal to the court to which an appeal lies from the decision of such court. 

(2) The appellate court may, after giving the appellant an opportunity of being heard, pass such order 
as it thinks fit confirming, modifying or revising the decision appealed against or may send back the case 
with  such  directions  as  it  may  think  fit  for  a  fresh  decision  or  adjudication,  as  the  case  may  be,  after 
taking additional evidence if necessary. 

(3) No further appeal shall lie against the order of the court made under sub-section (2). 

CHAPTER IV 

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 

16. Punishment for contravention of provisions of this Act.—1[(1)] Whoever contravenes any of 

the provisions of this Act shall be punishable,— 

(a) for the first offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine 

which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both; 

(b) for every subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years 

and with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees. 
2[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), the 

contravention of section 4A shall be a cognizable offence under this section.] 

17.  Offences  by  companies.—(1)  Where  an  offence  under  this  Act  has  been  committed  by  a 
company,  every  person  who,  at  the  time  the  offence  was  committed,  was  in  charge  of,  and  was 
responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall 
be  deemed  to  be  guilty  of  the  offence  and  shall  be  liable  to  be  proceeded  against  and  punished 
accordingly: 

Provided  that  nothing  contained  in  this  sub-section  shall  render  any  such  person  liable  to  any 
punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised 
all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence. 

(2)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  sub-section  (1),  where  any  offence  under  this  Act  has  
been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or 
connivance of, or is attributable to any negligence on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other 
officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty 
of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,— 

(a) “company” means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; 

and 

1. Section 16 numbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 2 of 2003, s. 5 (w.e.f. 31-12-2002). 
2. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 31-12-2002). 

8 

 
                                                           
(b) “director” in relation to a firm means a partner in the firm. 

18. Cognizance of offences.—No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this 

Act except upon a complaint in writing made 1[by anyauthorised officer]. 

CHAPTER V 

MISCELLANEOUS 

19.  Power  to  prohibit  transmission  of  certain  programmes  in  public  interest.—Where  2[any 
authorised  officer],  thinks  it  necessary  or  expedient  so  to  do  in  the  public  interest,  he  may,  by  order, 
prohibit any cable operator from transmitting or re-transmitting 3[any programme or channel if, it is not in 
conformity with the prescribed programme code referred to in section 5and advertisement code referred to 
in section 6 or if it is]likely to promote, on grounds of religion, race, language, caste or community or any 
other ground whatsoever, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, 
racial,  linguistic  or  regional  groups  or  castes  or  communities  or  which  is  likely  to  disturb  the  public 
tranquillity.  

20.  Power  to  prohibit  operation  of  cable  television  network  in  public  interest.—4[1]Where  the 
Central  Government  thinks  it  necessary  or  expedient  so  to  do  in  public  interest,  it  may  prohibit  the 
operation of any cable television network in such areas as it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, 
specify in this behalf. 

5[(2) Where the Central Government thinks it necessary or expedient so to do in the interest of the— 

(i) sovereignty or integrity of India; or 

(ii) security of India; or 

(iii) friendly relations of India with any foreign State; or 

(iv) public order, decency or morality, 

it may, by order, regulate or prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of any channel or programme. 

(3) Where the Central Government considers that any programme of any channel is not inconformity 
with the prescribed programme code referred to in section 5 or the prescribed advertisement code referred 
to  in  section  6,  it  may  by  order,  regulate  or  prohibit  the  transmission  or  re-transmission  of  such 
programme]. 

21. Application of other laws not barred.—The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and 
not  in  derogation  of,  the  Drugs  and  Cosmetics  Act,  1940  (23  of  1940),  the  Pharmacy  Act,  1948  
(8 of 1948), the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 (12 of 1950), the Drugs 
(Control)  Act,  1950  (26  of  1950),  the  Cinematograph  Act,  1952  (37  of  1952),  the  Drugs  and  Magic 
Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 (21 of 1954), the Prevention of Food Adulteration 
Act,  1954  (37  of  1954),  the  Prize  Competitions  Act,  1955  (42  of  1955),  the  Copyright  Act,  1957 
(14 of 1957), the Trade and Merchandise Marks, Act, 1958 (43 of 1958), the Indecent Representation of 
Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 (60 of 1986) 6[, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (68 of 1986) and the 
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 (24 of 1997)]. 

22. Power to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, 

make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. 

1. Subs. by Act 36 of 2000, s. 7, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-9-2000). 
2. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 1-9-2000). 
3. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for “any particular programme if it is” (w.e.f. 1-9-2000). 
4. Section 20 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2000). 
5. Ins. by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2000). 
6. Subs. by Act 21 of 2011, s.11, for “and the Consumer Protection Act, 1986” (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 

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(2)  In  particular,  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such  rules  may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

1[(a)  the  eligibility  criteria  for  different  categories  of  cable  operators  under  sub-section(2)  of 

section 4;] 

2[(aa)  the  form  of  application,  documents  to  be  accompanied  and  the  fees  payable  under  

sub-section (4) of section 4;] 

3[(aaa) the terms and conditions of registration under sub-section (6) of section4;] 
4[(aaaa) the appropriate measures under sub-section (2) of section 4A for implementation of the 

notification under sub-section (1) of that section;] 

(b) the programme code under section 5; 

(c) the advertisement code under section 6; 

(d) the form of register to be maintained by a cable operator under section 7; 
4[(da)  the  specifications  of  interference  standards  for  interfering  with  any  telecommunication 

system under section 10;] 

(e) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed. 

(3) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House 
of  Parliament,  while  it  is  in  session,  for  a  total  period  of  thirty  days  which  may  be  comprised  in  one 
session  or  in  two  or  more  successive  sessions,  and  if,  before  the  expiry  of  the  session  immediately 
following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification 
in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only 
in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or 
annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. 

23.  Repeal  and  savings.—(1)  The  Cable  Television  Networks  (Regulation)  Ordinance,  1995 

 (Ord. 3 of 1995) is hereby repealed. 

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the said Ordinance, shall be 

deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provision of this Act. 

1. Subs. by Act 21 of 2011, s. 12, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
2. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for clause (aa) (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
3. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for clause (aaa) (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 
4. Ins. by s. 12, ibid. (w.e.f. 25-10-2011). 

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